Construction of Sebit Cement Plant set for January

The construction of the long awaited Sh10 billion cement processing factory at Sebit-Ortum is set to begin in January next year, the company has announced.Following lengthy deliberations over the past year between the county government and Devki Group of Companies to set up a cement plant, a team led by Mr. Narendra Raval paid the governor a courtesy call to update him on the plant’s progress.During the meeting, Prof. Lonyangapuo expressed the need to fast track the construction of the cement plant, saying that it has stalled for a long period.

“This cement plant should have been constructed five years ago. We need that company to be up and running as soon as possible,” said Governor Prof. Lonyangapuo.In response, Mr. Raval said that the company has finally managed to sort out logistical challenges that had delayed the commencement of the project for the past five years.He said that the construction will commence in January 2019 and is expected to be complete in 20 months’ time. The company acquired 650 acres of land five years ago at Sebit- Ortum.The team, led by County Secretary Dr. Mike Parklea later went for a site visit at Sebit.

According to a feasibility study for the project which was commissioned in 2010 by the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA), the area has large limestone deposits with the potential to produce 1.2 million tons of cement per year.The study further indicated that the area has a reserve of 5.9 million tons of limestone.

The plant is expected to create direct employment for over 1000 people once operational and hundreds of indirect jobs through supplies and other requirements.